CHILDREN everywhere are getting excited for Christmas.

Families have been heading to watch as their town's lights are switched on and an abundance of festive adverts have hit our TVs.

But as youngsters write down their Christmas wishes, thousands of good boys and girls expect to find nothing under the tree this year.

That's why the Daily Echo has backed the Wave 105 Mission Christmas appeal which aims to bring some seasonal magic to the Hampshire's neediest children.

More than £10,000 worth of toys have already been donated - but now we are urging readers to give new unwrapped toys to the appeal and give St Nick a helping hand.

It comes after the success of last year's Mission Christmas appeal which led to 68,300 toys being delivered to disadvantaged youngsters across the south including a Lego police station kit donated by presenter Gary Parker from Gosport who received the same gift at Christmas 30 years ago.

Businesses including Eric Robinson Solicitors also dug deep to buy a gift in support of the campaign and thousands of toys were delivered to drop-off points in Sainsburys supermarkets.

But this year the seventh annual appeal hopes grant even more children's Christmas wishes.

Toys and presents are already piling in including 450 Muppet toys, 3,744 books, £10,000 worth of toys from Estee Lauder and 12 bikes from Vector Aerospace.

And this year it couldn't be easier to donate as postal service Doddle has joined the campaign.

They are inviting people to post their gifts to their branch at Southampton Central Railway Station where they will be collected by removals and storage firm Pickfords ready to be distributed.

Other organisations have also backed the appeal including Sainsburys, financial service provider Forester and David Gale orthodontics.

Wave 105 Cash for Kids charity manager Gloria Hill said: “We’re thrilled to say that Mission Christmas 2015 is off to a flying start.

"Each year we hope to make the campaign bigger and better than before, to ensure we put smiles on the faces of all the local disadvantaged children across the south.”

People can also deliver toys in person to their nearest drop-off point.

For information on drop-off points or how to donate cash call 01489 481082 or visit wave105.com/mission.